Parashiva, Paraśiva, Para-shiva, Parāśiva: 11 definitions
Introduction:
Parashiva means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
The Sanskrit terms Paraśiva and Parāśiva can be transliterated into English as Parasiva or Parashiva, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
Images (photo gallery)
In Hinduism
Vastushastra (architecture)
Paraśiva (परशिव).—According to the Mānasāra II.2-4, “From Paraḥ Śiva alone [are] Brahmā and Indra, and even Lokakṛt”. The “nature” of Śiva is specified here as para. The basic meaning of this adjectival term is “other,” while also inc1uding the senses of highest, greatest, distant and remote, all of which, in this context, point towards “transcendence”.
Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.
Vedanta (school of philosophy)
Paraśiva (परशिव) refers to “transcendent Śiva”.—The Self God. Śiva’s first perfection. Absolute Reality. Paraśiva is That which is beyond the grasp of consciousness, transcends time, form and space and defies description. To merge with the Absolute in mystic union is the ultimate goal of all incarnated souls, the reason for their living on this planet, and the deepest meaning of their experiences. Attainment of this is called Self-Realisation or nirvikalpa-samādhi.
Vedanta (वेदान्त, vedānta) refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Paraśiva (परशिव) refers to “supreme Śiva”, according to the commentary on the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, “There, above, at the very end of the Wick of Smoke, above the Great Cavity at (a distance that) measures twelve fingers, is the Supreme Energy whose nature is consciousness. Supreme Śiva [i.e., paraśiva—paraḥ śivaḥ] is above that (energy). The Transmission (krama) has come forth there from that Śiva”.
Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Paraśiva (परशिव) refers to the “highest auspicious thing” (i.e., Śiva), according to the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 22.17ab]—“Sa is that which is self-perceived, true, possesses the attribute of gratification, the receptacle of all amṛta, together with visarga, and the highest auspicious thing (paraśiva—paraṃ śivam) (i.e., Śiva), which is full and uninterrupted, without any breaks”.
Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
General definition (in Hinduism)
The parashiva has five aspects:
- Sadyojata—west-aspect that propagates manifest Brahman; associated with Brahma; represents earth.
- Vamadeva—north-aspect that sustains manifest Brahman; associated with Vishnu; represents water.
- Aghora—south-aspect that rejuvenates manifest Brahman; associated with Rudra; represents fire.
- Tatpurusha—east-aspect that reveals; associated with Rishi, Muni, Jnani, yogi; represents air.
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Isana—internal-aspect that conceals; associated with all that exist; represents ether(space).
India history and geography
Pāraśiva.—(SITI), probably Pāraśava; explained as ‘one who wields a weapon; a soldier’. Note: pāraśiva is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Paraśiva (परशिव):—[=para-śiva] [from para] m. Name of an author of Mantras, [Catalogue(s)]
Paraśiva (परशिव):—m. unter den Verfassern von Mantra bei den Śākta [Oxforder Handschriften 101,b,11.]
Paraśiva (परशिव):—m. Nomen proprium eines Verfassers von Mantra bei den Śākta.
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Kannada-English dictionary
Paraśiva (ಪರಶಿವ):—[noun] the Supreme Śiva.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Parāśiva (पराशिव):—n. self realization; direct knowing of the Self God; transcendence;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Parashivamahiman, Parashivamahimastotra, Parashivamahimnahstotra.
Full-text (+8): Shivapara, Paracivam, Parashivamahimastotra, Parashiv, Attuvitam, Nitpirapancam, Parashivendra sarasvati, Periyaporul, Circatti, Nirvikalpa, Nirvikalpasamadhi, Aikya, Mahalinga, Turuvan, Kanmacatakkiyam, Anatti, Parashakti, Anandamaya, Anandamayakosha, Kala.
Relevant text
Search found 26 books and stories containing Parashiva, Para-shiva, Para-siva, Para-śiva, Pāra-śiva, Paraśiva, Parasiva, Pāraśiva, Parāśiva; (plurals include: Parashivas, shivas, sivas, śivas, Paraśivas, Parasivas, Pāraśivas, Parāśivas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Tirumantiram by Tirumular (English translation)
Verse 2449: Pati-Pasam Leads to Para, Para Siva and Para Siva- < [Tantra Eight (ettam tantiram) (verses 2122-2648)]
Verse 2591: When Para Becomes Parasiva < [Tantra Eight (ettam tantiram) (verses 2122-2648)]
Verse 2657: Parasivam is Beyond the Three Turiyas < [Tantra Nine (onpatam tantiram) (verses 2649-3047)]
Srikara Bhashya (commentary) (by C. Hayavadana Rao)
Part 30 - Shatsthala Parasiva Brahman and Other Deities
Part 32 - The Repudiation of Sankhya-Dvaita
Shaiva Upanishads (A Critical Study) (by Arpita Chakraborty)
13. Forms are for Visualization < [Chapter 5 - Essence of Pañcabrahma Upaniṣad]
Shaiva Tantra: A way of Self-awareness (by L. N. Sharma)
Chapter 2 - Unity, Polarity, Multiplicity
3. Aham (Ego) < [Chapter 1 - The doctrinal background]
Serpent Power (Kundalini-shakti), Introduction (by Arthur Avalon)
Chapter 2 - Bodiless Consciousness
Chapter 4 - Mantra (Prayer or Formula of worship)
Chapter 7 - Theoretical Bases of this Yoga (Kuṇḍalinī and Laya-Yoga)
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)